Canada’s ‘AI for All’ strategy has ambitious growth targets, but it falls short on workers and the environment
Publish Date: 2026-06-10 11:45:00
Source Domain: theconversation.com
- Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched Canada’s AI for All strategy aimed at achieving $200 billion in additional GDP growth and 250,000 new jobs by 2031 with over $2 billion in new spending.
- The strategy is centred around several pillars including AI infrastructure, talent, business adoption, SME support, and responsible AI, cybersecurity.
- Despite clear growth targets, the strategy lacks concrete accountability measures regarding job displacement, data governance, environmental impact, and auditing workplace AI.
- Labour organizations critique the strategy for prioritizing business over workers, noting rising concerns over AI’s impact on hiring practices and job availability.
- The strategy includes AI literacy and upskilling but does not fully address potential job displacement without detailed modelling.
- The strategy also underestimates the digital divide in Canada, especially among low-income households and women who appear disproportionately affected by disruptions in the labour market.
- While acknowledging the need for Indigenous agency, the strategy lacks enforceable rights and fails to address AI biases, including in hiring systems.
- There is limited environmental accountability in the strategy, despite projected high compute requirements and potential significant ecological impacts, including water use.
- To fulfil its promise, the strategy requires better transition planning, worker protections, and accountability for equity and environmental commitments.
